The distraught family of a schoolgirl who went missing from her home near Pocklington today made a desperate plea for her to return.

Emma Harrison, 15, disappeared after leaving her home in Bugthorpe on the day she was due to resume classes at Woldgate School, Pocklington, after the summer break.

She had started at the school part way through the previous term after her family moved to the area from Kirkbymoorside.

When she failed to turn up on Wednesday morning, the school contacted her parents who called the police.

Emma, a former pupil at Ryedale School, Nawton, had run away from home the week before and her parents had traced her to York railway station where she was planning to catch a train to London.

Her mother, Helen Cairns, was too distressed to talk directly to the Evening Press, but, via police, simply said: "Emma, please come home."

Sgt Peter Rogers, of Pocklington police, said: "Her family is very anxious to know she is safe and wants her to return home.

"We are looking to anyone who she may have confided in, or who has seen her, to get in touch."

It is known that Emma, who is said to be mature for her age, drew money from a cashpoint at Barclays Bank in Parliament Street, York, at 10am on Wednesday.

Police believe she may have caught a train to London that morning or set off for Ireland.

She had her passport with her and officers are checking with police in both areas.

Emma is 5ft 11in tall, with short, dark brown hair, grey eyes and wears contact lenses or steel-rimmed spectacles.

She was last seen wearing black trousers, a Levi denim jacket and black shoes with silver buckles.

Woldgate School head teacher Jeff Bower described Emma as a "delightful girl" and added: "We are all just desperately concerned for her welfare and we ask anyone who knows where she is to tell the police."

Inquiries within the school had so far drawn a complete blank.

Mr Bower said he knew of no incident within school that could have sparked Emma's disappearance.

Anyone who has seen her or who has any information on her whereabouts is asked to telephone the police on 01759 302174.

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